Prince of Persia

From Sega Retro

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PoP MD Title.png

Prince of Persia
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD, Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Sega Game Gear
Tengen (US), Domark (EU),
Sega Master System
Domark,
Sega Mega-CD
Sega, Victor Musical Industries (JP)
Developer:
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
GEMS
Genre: Action

















Release Date RRP Code

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Prince of Persia (プリンス・オブ・ペルシャ) is a platform game created by Jordan Mechner for the Apple II computer. It has been ported to many of platforms over the years, including the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD, Sega Master System and Sega Game Gear.

Story

The Grand Vizier Jaffar has thrown you into a dungeon and is forcing the princess of Persia to marry him within the hour. You must escape the dungeon, defeat Jaffar and rescue the princess to become the prince of Persia.

Version Differences

While all four versions of the game stem from the same source (Jordan Mechner's Apple II version, published by Brøderbund Software in 1989), each of the Sega versions were handled by different teams and arrived at different periods between 1992 and 1993.

The Mega-CD version was the first Sega port of the game to be released, landing in Japan in August 1992. This version was developed by Bits Laboratory and was originally published by Victor Musical Industries, with Sega handling publishing duties overseas. The Mega-CD version uses similar updated designs and aesthetics as previous Japanese conversions from 1991 (handled by Riverhillsoft and released for the PC Engine, Sharp X68000, PC-9801 amd FM Towns), albeit with voiceovers in the introduction sequence instead of text.

The Game Gear and Master System versions are largely identical bar differences in screen resolution, and, together with the Mega Drive version, were developed as contract work for Domark. Both of these ports use graphics unique to these systems - the Mega Drive version being notable for having more detailed graphics than its Mega-CD counterpart and features an extra four levels not seen in any other ports of the game.

History

Legacy

The game was revolutionary at the time due to the quality of the animation, and is now considered a classic among gamers. It has also inspired several sequels, starting with Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame, and a feature length movie.

Production Credits

Mega Drive Version

Programming: Richard Walker
Graphics: Lloyd Baker
Sound Effects: Mike Ash
Quality Assurance: Gary Patino
Production: Chris Johnson
Special Thanks: Jim Blackler, Jason Cunningham, Steve Calfee, Bill Hindorff, Earl Vickers, Mitzi McGilvray

Master System Version

Code: J. Tripp
Music By Matt Furniss
Graphics: Matt Hicks, Sauray Sarkar
Published By Domark Software Ltd

Promotional Material

  • Mega Drive US print advert

  • Tengen GG US PrintAdvert.jpg

    Game Gear US print advert

  • PoP GG FR PrintAdvert.jpg

    Game Gear FR print advert

  • GameGear Coleccion ES PrintAd 1993-03.jpg

    Game Gear ES print advert

  • JuegateloTodo ES PrintAd 1992-10.jpg

    Master System ES print advert 1

  • JuegateloTodo ES PrintAd 1992-11.jpg

    Master System ES print advert 2

  • JuegateloTodo ES PrintAd 1992-12.jpg

    Master System ES print advert 3

  • MCDReleases BR PrintAdvert.jpg

    Mega-CD BR print advert

Physical Scans

Mega Drive Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
88
84 №149, p36
79
68 №16, p70
80 №19
87 №29, p80/81
87
68 №18, p40
88
82 №27, p66/67/68
72 №1, p92-94[1]
83 №18, p74-75[2]
89 №40, p88/89
78 №3, p106/107
63 №53, p60/61
83 №30, p58/59
94 №7, p10-13[3]
79 №25, p10
Sega Mega Drive
 81
Based on
18 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[4]
Console Mania (IT) PAL
89
[5]
Cool Gamer (RU)
60
[6]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
84
[7]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
87
[8]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
78
[9]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
80
[10]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2 (RU)
80
[11]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
93
[12]
Gamers (DE)
40
[13]
GamesMaster (UK) PAL
68
[14]
Hyper (AU)
82
[15]
Joypad (FR) PAL
87
[16]
MAN!AC (DE) PAL
71
[17]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
86
[18]
Mega (UK) PAL
68
[19]
Mega Action (UK) PAL
87
[20]
Mega Force (FR)
88
[21]
Mega Fun (DE) PAL
68
[22]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
82
[23]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
83
[2]
Player One (FR)
89
[24]
Play Time (DE)
64
[25]
Sega Magazin (DE)
70
[26]
Sega Magazine (UK) PAL
78
[27]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
63
[28]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
83
[29]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
86
[30]
SuperGamePower (BR)
80
[31]
Sega Mega Drive Review (RU)
80
[32]
Sonic the Comic (UK) PAL
79
[33]
Super Juegos (ES)
85
[34]
Todo Sega (ES)
83
[35]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
76
[36]
Video Games (DE) PAL
70
[37]
VideoGames (US) NTSC-U
70
[38]
Sega Mega Drive
 77
Based on
36 reviews

Prince of Persia

Mega Drive, US
PoP MD US Box.jpg
Cover
PoP MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
PoP MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
PoP MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, AU


Mega CD Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
94 №13, p64/65
78
79 №4, p38/39
41
87 №4, p22/23
86 №1, p42/43
Expression error: Unrecognized word "null".
90 №10, p30/31/32/33
72 №1, p92/93/94
80 №35, p150
68 №44, p36/37
82 №13, p60/61
65 №18, p74
69 №12, p90/91[39]
Sega Mega-CD
 Expression error: Unexpected < operator.
Based on
14 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Sega Mega-CD
 N/A
Based on
0 reviews

Prince of Persia

Mega-CD, US
PoP MCD US Box Back.jpgPoP MCD US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Princeofpersia mcd us disc.jpg
Disc
Princeofpersia mcd us manual.pdf
Manual
Mega-CD, EU
PoP MCD EU Box Back.jpgPoP MCD EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
PoP MCD EU Disc.jpg
Disc
Mega-CD, JP
PoP MCD JP Box Back.jpgPoP MCD JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
PrinceofPersia MCD JP Spinecard.JPG
Spinecard
PoP MCD JP Disc.jpg
Disc
Mega-CD, BR
PoP MCD BR Box Back.jpgNospine.pngPoP MCD BR Box Front.jpg
Cover

Master System Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
91 №12, p112/113/114
90 №128, p27
80 №19
94 №4, p20/21/22
80
91 №12
91 №30, p198
91 №22, p88-90[40]
91 №1, p135[41]
73 №2/55
94 №25, p90/91
88
94 №7, p10/11/12/13[3]
96 №18, p74[42]
92 №32, p26/27
100 №46, p101
96 №9, p58/59[43]
93 №15, p73
91 №1, p74/75/76
Sega Master System
 90
Based on
19 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Computer & Video Games (UK)
90
[44]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
92
[45]
FX (UK)
91
[46]
Game Mania (UK)
91
[47]
Game Power (IT)
92
[48]
GamesMaster (UK)
80
[49]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
94
[50]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[51]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
80
[52]
Joypad (FR)
91
[53]
Joystick (FR)
91
[54]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
75
[55]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
91
[56]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[41]
Player One (FR)
94
[57]
Power Up! (UK)
90
[58]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
92
[59]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
96
[60]
Sega Pro (UK)
93
[61]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
94
[62]
Sega Zone (UK) PAL
91
[63]
Sega Force (SE)
88
[64]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
94
[3]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
96
[42]
Supersonic (FR)
91
[65]
Video Games (DE)
59
[66]
Sega Master System
 89
Based on
26 reviews

Prince of Persia

Master System, EU
PoP SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
PoP SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR
PoP SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
Princeofpersia sms br cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, AU

PoP SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart


Game Gear Version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
90 №14, p148
93 №130, pGo!12/13
70
92 №12, p58/59
82 №16
82 №35, p185
91 №4, p96/97[67]
100
95 №10, p66
92 №15, p74/75
95 №9, p56/57[68]
91 №34, p78
Sega Game Gear
 89
Based on
12 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Consoles + (FR)
90
[69]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
93
[70]
Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U
83
[71]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
70
[72]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
91
[73]
Fistful! (UK)
85
[74]
Game Mania (UK)
91
[75]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
75
[76]
Game Zone (UK) NTSC-U
92
[77]
Joypad (FR)
82
[78]
Joystick (FR) PAL
82
[79]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
92
[80]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
91
[67]
Play Time (DE)
81
[81]
Sega News (CZ)
100
[82]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
95
[83]
Sega Pro (UK)
92
[84]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[85]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
95
[68]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
70
[86]
Video Games (DE) PAL
39
[87]
Zero (UK)
91
[88]
Sega Game Gear
 85
Based on
22 reviews

Prince of Persia

Game Gear, US
PoP GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngPoP GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
PoP GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, EU
PoP GG EU Box Back.jpgNospine.pngPoP GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
PoP GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Necretro-round.svg
NEC Retro has more information related to Prince of Persia
  1. ↑ File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf, page 92
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf, page 74 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega18UK.pdf_p74" defined multiple times with different content
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 File:SegaForce UK 07.pdf, page 12 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 07.pdf_p12" defined multiple times with different content
  4. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 181
  5. ↑ Console Mania, "Aprile 1994" (IT; 1994-0x-xx), page 80
  6. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 164
  7. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-15), page 36
  8. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "March 1994" (US; 1994-02-22), page 65
  9. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "March 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 38
  10. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 350
  11. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 2, "" (RU; 2000-xx-xx), page 178
  12. ↑ GamePro, "April 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 32
  13. ↑ Gamers, "März/April 1994" (DE; 1994-03-04), page 48
  14. ↑ GamesMaster, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-17), page 70
  15. ↑ Hyper, "March 1994" (AU; 1994-xx-xx), page 60
  16. ↑ Joypad, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 80
  17. ↑ MAN!AC, "05/94" (DE; 1994-04-13), page 45
  18. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-xx-xx), page 18
  19. ↑ Mega, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-17), page 40
  20. ↑ Mega Action, "February 1994" (UK; 1994-01-28), page 12
  21. ↑ Mega Force, "Février 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 112
  22. ↑ Mega Fun, "03/94" (DE; 1994-02-23), page 105
  23. ↑ MegaTech, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-20), page 66
  24. ↑ Player One, "Mars 1994" (FR; 1994-0x-xx), page 88
  25. ↑ Play Time, "7/94" (DE; 1994-06-08), page 138
  26. ↑ Sega Magazin, "Juni 1994" (DE; 1994-05-11), page 18
  27. ↑ Sega Magazine, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-15), page 106
  28. ↑ Sega Power, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-03), page 60
  29. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 58
  30. ↑ Sega Zone, "March 1994" (UK; 1994-02-24), page 37
  31. ↑ SuperGamePower, "Abril 1994" (BR; 1994-0x-xx), page 72
  32. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Review, "1" (RU; 1995-04-03), page 116
  33. ↑ Sonic the Comic, "May 13th 1994" (UK; 1994-04-30), page 10
  34. ↑ Super Juegos, "Abril 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 96
  35. ↑ Todo Sega, "Marzo 1994" (ES; 1994-0x-xx), page 90
  36. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 139
  37. ↑ Video Games, "4/94" (DE; 1994-03-23), page 86
  38. ↑ VideoGames, "April 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 81
  39. ↑ File:SegaForce UK 12.pdf, page 90
  40. ↑ File:MeanMachines UK 22.pdf, page 88
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf, page 135 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega01UK.pdf_p135" defined multiple times with different content
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 File:SegaForce UK 18.pdf, page 74 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 18.pdf_p74" defined multiple times with different content
  43. ↑ File:Segapro UK 09.pdf, page 58
  44. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-15), page 27
  45. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 150
  46. ↑ FX (UK) (+0:00)
  47. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  48. ↑ Game Power, "Luigio/Agosto 1992" (IT; 1992-0x-xx), page 44
  49. ↑ GamesMaster (UK) "Series 2, episode 9" (1992-11-26, 24:00) (+6:14)
  50. ↑ Game Zone, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-24), page 20
  51. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 110
  52. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 126
  53. ↑ Joypad, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 80
  54. ↑ Joystick, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 198
  55. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1992" (ES; 1992-1x-xx), page 50
  56. ↑ Mean Machines, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-27), page 112
  57. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-11-10), page 90
  58. ↑ Power Up!, "Saturday, October 24, 1992" (UK; 1992-10-24), page 1
  59. ↑ Sega Power, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-04), page 26
  60. ↑ Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 58
  61. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 69
  62. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 72
  63. ↑ Sega Zone, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-28), page 74
  64. ↑ Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 23
  65. ↑ Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 24
  66. ↑ Video Games, "8/92" (DE; 1992-07-22), page 95
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 File:MeanMachinesSega04UK.pdf, page 96 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachinesSega04UK.pdf_p96" defined multiple times with different content
  68. ↑ 68.0 68.1 File:SegaForce UK 09.pdf, page 56 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:SegaForce UK 09.pdf_p56" defined multiple times with different content
  69. ↑ Consoles +, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 148
  70. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "September 1992 (Go! Issue 11)" (UK; 1992-08-15), page 12
  71. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "January 1993" (US; 1992-12-10), page 98
  72. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "January 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 38
  73. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 168
  74. ↑ Fistful!, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-05-28), page 7
  75. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  76. ↑ Game Informer, "January/February 1993" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 6
  77. ↑ Game Zone, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-24), page 58
  78. ↑ Joypad, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 149
  79. ↑ Joystick, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 185
  80. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Marzo 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 44
  81. ↑ Play Time, "3/93" (DE; 1993-02-10), page 107
  82. ↑ Sega News, "Prosinec 1996" (CZ; 1996-1x-xx), page 32
  83. ↑ Sega Pro, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-16), page 66
  84. ↑ Sega Pro, "Christmas 1992" (UK; 1992-12-10), page 70
  85. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  86. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "November 1992" (US; 1992-1x-xx), page 87
  87. ↑ Video Games, "2/93" (DE; 1993-01-27), page 120
  88. ↑ Zero, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-xx), page 78
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